Mercato: Idrissa Gana Gueye signs up with Diriyah in Saudi Arabia

Free since the end of his contract with Everton, Idrissa Gana Gueye has officially signed up with Diriyah FC, a club promoted to the Saudi Pro League. At 36, the Senegalese international midfielder is opening a new chapter in his career after seven seasons spent in the colors of the Toffees.

The soap opera is now over for Idrissa Gana Gueye. This Sunday, August 9, 2026, the Saudi club of Diriyah formalized the arrival of the Senegalese African champion, recruited as a free player after his departure from Everton. According to several specialist media, the defensive midfielder has signed a one-season contract with an optional additional year. The amount of remuneration has not been officially communicated.

The departure of Gana Gueye had been anticipated for several weeks. Everton confirmed on July 24 the end of the Senegalese international’s adventure, whose contract was expiring. The discussions around an extension having not been successful, the English club chose to pay tribute to him for his commitment and his influence within the locker room.

Returning to Everton in 2022 after three seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, the player trained at Diambars will have played 236 matches with the Toffees during his two stints. He was also voted best player of the club during the 2024-2025 season.

Diriyah, recently promoted to the Saudi Pro League, is pursuing an ambitious transfer window. The Saudi club presented the experience of Gana Gueye as a major asset to supervise a workforce in full construction. The former PSG midfielder joins a group reinforced this summer by several experienced recruits, including Chancel Mbemba.

At 36, Idrissa Gana Gueye adds a new championship to an already busy career. Having played for Lille, Aston Villa, Everton and Paris Saint-Germain, he has more than 130 caps with the Senegal national team and remains one of the architects of the Lions’ continental coronation during CAN 2021 and in 2026.